WISEWITCH:

EVERYONE READY FOR CLASS?

melilot:

yeppers

Mc Cara:

Yes I am

Sylverhare:

yep

Cloudburst:

yup

PAniteowl:

yep

MagicFigures:

Yes

Mistletoe:

yes

Raavin:

yep

Spirit Bee:

me too

WISEWITCH:

I'm not [g]

Cloudburst:

right

lostindepth:

uhhhh well fine.

mtngirl:

??

Mistletoe:

ggg

MagicFigures:

:)

Spirit Bee:

Red Deer:

me too WW

Freinsch:

Ready & waiting

mtngirl:

??

Annwyn:

go girl

WISEWITCH:

What's the question, Mtngirl?

mtngirl:

class?

Red Deer:

Wise Witch, should we review the rite of EXCLUSION before beginning?

Sylverhare:

sounds good rd

melilot:

please do WW

Cloudburst:

smart move RD

Mc Cara:

agree

melilot:

please do red

WISEWITCH:

We hold Wicca 101 classes here on Sunday. Usually they are earlier, but I have a life [g] So we will be beginning in a minute or two....

Red Deer:

I'll ward the door, unless you prefer another WW

mtngirl:

ooohhhhhhhhhh. what topic tonight?

WISEWITCH:

That's great, RD. Shall I review the ground rules?

Spirit Bee:

please

agnologic:

logic is one but logic exists in truth and false.. you can arrive to a logical conclusion in regards to truth but in essence still be false..

Red Deer:

whomever wards, holds the right to call for EXCLUSION without comment... the excluded will be eradicated from the class logs... beat ya' to it, WW

ZenMastr:

hail the macro king(G)

Red Deer:

Could a few people log the class?

Annwyn:

Yep

ZenMastr:

i will, RD

WISEWITCH:

Okay, Tonight's class will be on Samhain, our upcoming holy day. During class, please don't use the class space to say high or bye to folks, use IM for that.

Red Deer:

I got bumped once and lost a big chunk... I'll log but it's nice to have a backup. thanks Zen

MagicFigures:

I'm loggin' too

Red Deer:

and annie

mtngirl:

im in all

Annwyn:

yes

WISEWITCH:

Hold on - son needs kissing goodnight.......

agnologic:

that's the problem when searching for truth through logic.. we must first free ourselves of dogma.

Annwyn:

first things first WW

WISEWITCH:

Oh, and ask questions as they come up. It won't distract me more than my life will! [g] SAMHAIN - occurring, depending on your tradition, anytime between Oct 31 and about Nov 9.

Red Deer:

CALL TO ORDER... WISE WITCH IS READY TO LEAD THE SAMHAIN DISCUSSION

WISEWITCH:

First things first - it's pronounced Sow-een or Sah-vin or some variations of that, not Sam-Hane.

Red Deer:

{g}

WISEWITCH:

And it means 'summer's end' and it is NOT the name of 'the Celtic God of the Dead'. There is NO Celtic God of the Dead. Having cleared that up, I can calm down and PREACH! It's roots are in the Celtic new year. This day was the day BETWEEN the years, neither the old one nor the new one. And in between times are GREAT for scrying because they are the times when the veil is thin between the worlds. It is also the last of the harvest festivals, the time of the hunt. This holy day begins the winter part of the Celtic year.

mtngirl:

time to honor our ancestors

WISEWITCH:

Right, the ancestors, and the deities of the hunt.

Red Deer:

the day of "a year and a day"

WISEWITCH:

For you gardeners, all crops left in the fields after Samhain are to be left for the fairy folks. Which is going to be interesting for me this year, as my tomatoes and beans are running late.

Autumn21:

although it has its roots in Celtic, is there some way a Greek pagan can celebrate?

WISEWITCH:

Wicca sees this holy day as centered around the Crone aspect of the Goddess, and the Horned hunter aspect of the God.

Cloudburst:

the season is sacred everywhere, Autumn

Autumn21:

oh, okay

WISEWITCH:

Autumn, my earliest celebrations centered on the descent of Kore into the underworld.

Autumn21:

this is my first Samhain, and i am a solitary

Spirit Bee:

Kore?

Autumn21:

Kore isn't Satan

tyffin:

definitely

WISEWITCH:

Kore - Persephone.

Red Deer:

Kore is female

tyffin:

exactly

WISEWITCH:

The Crone - while many think of her as a 'death' image, I picked up a neat idea in a recent SageWoman magazine - think of her more as a DECAY aspect. The dissolution before the later rebuilding. Like making compost.

Red Deer:

Indeed!

mtngirl:

WW as you go along could you suggest for solitary... have been revising rituals but would like some new ideas for Samhain

ZenMastr:

nice view, WW... mine too.

PAniteowl:

Watch it RD ... Hoot

WISEWITCH:

Sure, Mtn, we'll get to some ritual ideas in a bit.

mtngirl:

:)

WISEWITCH:

Just about any of the Decay/Death goddesses will do for a Wiccan ceremony. Hekate, maybe the Fates, maybe the Norns, maybe a Valkuri or the Kali, etc. The Horned Hunter - for many Wiccans, he started his reign at Middsummer and is really coming into his own now. Herne (and we know how he hunts.....[g]), Father Winter, Hades, etc. Of course, for your rituals, choose a God and Goddess of the same pantheon! And make sure they get along. I used to work with the idea that Samhain started the 'inner' time of the year, when one should work on Deep Spiritual Stuff that one couldn't' get to in the work of summer's gardening.

Cloudburst:

works for me. time to stay in the house

WISEWITCH:

But I've changed my mind about that. Winter has always been the time when folks had to live and work CLOSELY together. Now I see it as more a time when one has to work on getting good social skills, not drawing apart from the group. In Ireland, at Samhain the Fiona, the warriors, came in from repelling Vikings and all and lived in houses with the rest of society.

Autumn21:

so, in other words for me, a Greek solitary i have many gods and goddesses to choose from WISEWITCH:

Right, Autumn.

Cloudburst:

good point, WW

PAniteowl:

agree WW

LycnthrpsRex:

Y Gwyr Yr Byn Y Bydd....The Truth Against The World...

WISEWITCH:

Samhain is a good time for some things - like scrying. But it is a bad time for other things - like marriages! Probably because the energy of the 'between times' is so flaky.

tyffin:

really

mtngirl:

agreed successful scrying time... probably root of all the bonfires this time of year?

WISEWITCH:

Now the first ritual I ever did with a group was a Samhain ritual, and my ADF First Circle initiation took place on one as well. So it's always been a very...transforming...holy day for me. No, the bonfires were SOP with all the Celtic holy days. I've got a copy of that first ritual I did here in front of me. It is VERY informative to save detailed copies of your ritual, BTW. You see what you can improve, what worked, what didn't, and how you've changed over the years!

Red Deer:

I totally agree, WW. evolution is a goal

WISEWITCH:

This is a Dianic ritual, so it doesn't address the God aspect at all.

Mistletoe:

(SIGH)

Annwyn:

and our religion is not a set doctrine... so the changes only enhance as we grow

WISEWITCH:

Hey, Toes, I grew up since then! [g]

tyffin:

WW how many years have you been in the craft?

WISEWITCH:

15 years, Tyff.

PAniteowl:

WW may I address the bonfire question?

tyffin:

you are so knowledgeable!!:)

WISEWITCH:

Sure, PA.

mtngirl:

have you rituals w/ both aspects?

PAniteowl:

A large gathering in years of yore, no electricity .. no garbage control a Bonfire kept them warm & helped clean up after the party

Red Deer:

voila, BONFIRE

WISEWITCH:

Yes, but I don't think I have a copy of a balanced one in here by the computer right now.

PAniteowl:

It is an old tradition, but for public crowd control

Red Deer:

's OK WW, so long as there's no hidden agenda here (g)

PAniteowl:

it was necessary

ZenMastr:

:)

PAniteowl:

enuff said

Red Deer:

and the fact that bonfires are QUITE powerful doesn't hurt either!

Annwyn:

HUH?

mtngirl:

at time yes but was curios about the continuation

PAniteowl:

true RD

pathways:

what?

WISEWITCH:

I wish this BOS had an index! Frantically leafing through it (I can't find the other 2 BOSs and didn't bring the file of rituals)

PAniteowl:

They are also fun

Red Deer:

and passionate!

tyffin:

defiantly

ZenMastr:

hehe yep

Red Deer:

a gift to the night from the Lords of Fire

Mistletoe:

:)

Cloudburst:

oh RD I love it when you get poetical

WISEWITCH:

We invoked a Hel (another good crone) of a lot of Crones.

PAniteowl:

Was in Scotland last October .. would have welcomed any fire .. it was cold!

WISEWITCH:

For any Wiccan ritual, I really like falling back on my person or my coven's standard Raising a Circle rituals. I think that all should have a basic set of these. I didn't have this for my first ritual, of course, but it really makes a difference. Wicca, as most of you know, does most of the rituals/workings in a circle that is 'between the worlds'. It is useful to have a set way to get there!

tyffin:

makes it easier?

WISEWITCH:

There are lots of great things that can be incorporated into a Samhain ritual. I LOVE including pomegranates. They really work well for me. Figs, too. They are SO womb-like!

Cloudburst:

much easier, tyff. helps you know where you are

Annwyn:

and leaving a place at the table for those that are no longer here

ZenMastr:

aye Ann

PAniteowl:

yes Annie

ZenMastr:

"sidhe"

WISEWITCH:

Tyff, in many of the most successful rituals, memorizing the lines/parts helps. And you can't do that as easily if you do it differently each and every time.

Miss Mary:

The Mexicans celebrate 'Day of the Dead' where they have little skeleton effigies of their departed friends and relatives set up on an altar so they may join in celebration

PAniteowl:

I like the gourds, pumpkins, squash dishes

WISEWITCH:

Right, Mary - that's around our Beltain, isn't it?

Red Deer:

Nope, WW... It's All Souls' Day

Annwyn:

and in japan they light lanterns... as beacons to their departed

WISEWITCH:

During your ritual, or before, you can carve the pumpkin and light it, and offer food to the ancestors.

Miss Mary:

No- it is believe it or not, on November first!!! I thought it was interestingly close to wiccan beliefs!

WISEWITCH:

I may be thinking of the day that they re-wrap the corpses, RD.

Mistletoe:

All Saints Day in xtian

Red Deer:

Pagans of many faiths celebrate this time of year when the veils are thin and the departed may return

WISEWITCH:

I like to retell the story of Persephone going into the underworld at Samhain. Does everyone here know that story?

ZenMastr:

aye

PAniteowl:

aye

Sylverhare:

yep

Annwyn:

yes

WISEWITCH:

Does anyone NOT know it?

Spirit Bee:

from long ago...

Cloudburst:

yup

Mistletoe:

yes

Xori:

me

Spirit Bee:

in school...

Xori:

please tell

Mistletoe:

I know it I mean

Miss Mary:

Is it because of the harvest moon that religions celebrate the otherworld on October 31/ November 1?

Xori:

I would like to hear it WW

Red Deer:

because of the harvest, Mary

MagicFigures:

me too

WISEWITCH:

Okay, Xori - Persephone, young goddess, daughter of Demeter the grain goddess, was out picking flowers with her girlfriends. Hades, who had fallen in love with her AGES before and had already cleared marrying her with Zeus (she doesn't know this yet) comes up with his chariot and carries her off to the Underworld which is his realm. Demeter, who wasn't consulted beforehand, goes on strike and thus the first winter.

Xori:

ah

MagicFigures:

now I remember

WISEWITCH:

Many English translations call this 'the rape of Persephone' but that is a bad translation.

PAniteowl:

But there was coercion & persuasion WW

Xori:

more like the "taking" of Persephone?

WISEWITCH:

There is no evidence that Persephone didn't love her husband, or that she hated the underworld.

Miss Mary:

Or did Persephone elope?

Cloudburst:

"Rape" is used a lot to mean something like "kidnapping"

Red Deer:

very true, Demeter was the dissatisfied one

WISEWITCH:

But how can a Triple Goddess be limited to one role? Still, she cried out when he grabbed her.

tyffin:

they can't can they?

Miss Mary:

She can't!

Mistletoe:

Don't say what a Goddess Cannot do.:)

WISEWITCH:

How many of us rail against the changes, cyclical or not, in OUR lives?

PAniteowl:

As I recall, Persephone missed the light of earth .. but in all things, you take what comes ... not all is as you'd like it

tyffin:

that would be to easy

Annwyn:

actually she enjoyed bringing light to the underworld, she received some gratification in this

tyffin:

but did the underworld enjoy it?

Mistletoe:

I would were I there

PAniteowl:

Some things will be embraced, some endured, & some ignored ... even magik cannot bring about total ecstasy (g)

Spirit Bee:

Hades did

Miss Mary:

What about after - the deal Demeter made with Zeus for six month visitation rights?

WISEWITCH:

Ah, that is what I wanted to add. Isaac has a song, Wiccan to the core, that mirrors this relationship well.

Annwyn:

No PA say it ain't so(G)

DeathDesire:

(G)

PAniteowl:

'Tain't So ..(lying for Annies Sake)

WISEWITCH:

That's more a Spring Equinox story, Mary. But I personally think that Persephone used the concave rind of the pomegranate as a diaphragm... they never had children.

ZenMastr:

LOL

Miss Mary:

LOL, WW!

Cloudburst:

LOL

DeathDesire:

(G)

PAniteowl:

LOL ... hadn't heard that one before WW

Mistletoe:

BC in the B.C.

Spirit Bee:

{blush}

WISEWITCH:

from Isaac's song "Come to me by beauty, I've something for you here. A mystery you do not know, there's nothing you should fear. Come to me. Come to me..."

DeathDesire:

please don't even say "diaphram" (VBG)

ZenMastr:

hehe DD

Sylverhare:

lol DD

WISEWITCH:

Gods, I love that song, which I won't type the whole of as it's long and copyright laws being as they are...

Mistletoe:

Ask Isaac next week then?

Cloudburst:

maybe Isaac will share. It's his copyright(G)

WISEWITCH:

But it reminds me, as it is a love story of the Death God/Horned Hunter, that there are some popular characters that would work well as Horned Hunter types.

Autumn21:

like who?

WISEWITCH:

Not that I like Klingon Wicca, but Warf would work well.

Cloudburst:

Nick Knight, perhaps?

DeathDesire:

LOL

ZenMastr:

hehe

Miss Mary:

As Samhain is a time of harvest, would it be appropriate to throw a ritual which is much like Thanksgiving where a feast is served? --- off the subject ---

Autumn21:

he is so fine, nick knight

Red Deer:

LOL Mary... I never though of "throwing" a ritual!

WISEWITCH:

or Dirty Harry. Maybe Darth Vader (with Luke being the Greenwood God:

Miss Mary:

(Marina Sirtis- AKA Diana Troi- is Wiccan!)

DeathDesire:

LOL

Annwyn:

We spoke about this being the harvest of meat... but also it is the harvest of fruit and nuts...

Emmereaude:

A feast is appropriate for Samhain, however it should always be in honor of the ancestors.

Cloudburst:

MissM, Thanksgiving has things in it that probably come from old harvest celebrations

WISEWITCH:

And for you Dr Who fans - how about Leela as a young Crone? She takes no crap!

Mistletoe:

Yeah!

Spirit Bee:

WW, are there an appropriate god/goddes from native American beliefs that would work for this?

Miss Mary:

You don't know my rituals, Red Deer!!! They always end up a party if there is more than two people!

DeathDesire:

(G)

Red Deer:

Almost certainly, as the Native Americans probably instituted it with the Pilgrims

Sylverhare:

Spider Grandmother, Bee

WISEWITCH:

I don't know Bee. I'm not familiar with them.

Spirit Bee:

for real, sylver?

Sylverhare:

yep

Cloudburst:

Spider Woman

Spirit Bee:

thanks, syl!

Annwyn:

WW you spoke of winter being a time of working together and coming back together...

WISEWITCH:

Yes, Ann?

Annwyn:

as we look at this time of year... coming into the dark side... we should recognize the changes in ourselves that occur physically at this time.

Annwyn:

How we are tied to our world in a very natural way, though in this day and time sometimes we forget...

WISEWITCH:

Like putting on weight for winter, and SADD?

DeathDesire:

LOL

Mistletoe:

SADD is very real

Annwyn:

unfortunately yes... those can be issues... but a time of looking into ourselves also

WISEWITCH:

Aye, toes! I know!

Miss Mary:

I have always felt Samhain to be a time for family, and relationships-- looking back on how life has been--

Autumn21:

speaking of SADD, someone i was very close to was killed in an automobile accident around Yule last year

DeathDesire:

:(

PAniteowl:

Sometimes, the freedoms of spring & summer, along with the sunshine, seem to lessen and encourage a melancholy that all must be aware of

WISEWITCH:

In my Samhain rituals, I like to use the 'fruit of life which is death/ fruit of death which is life' line that I think I got from Z Budapest.

Cloudburst:

From Lammas to Yule last year I was continually losing people. How @#$! seasonal :[

Annwyn:

You mentioned the pomegranate... it is recognized both as a fruit of life and a fruit of death.

Miss Mary:

Autumn - maybe you could take a bit of the Mexican approach and have a little picture of our departed friend on your altar for Samhain to let them know they are remembered.

Cloudburst:

Apples work for that too. I whip one out at fall equinox and cut it crossways. Always new for somebody(G)

aphreal:

That is a wonderful idea Mary.

Miss Mary:

The pomegranate was really used for birth control- the citric acid of the fruit was effective in throwing off the woman's pH!

DeathDesire:

kewl...

Cloudburst:

WHAT???!!!!

Annwyn:

yep

DeathDesire:

but that has to burn...(G)

Autumn21:

i have been thinking about it a lot recently (his death), so yeah, that might be a good idea

aphreal:

Hey, Mary is just full of cool info. tonight

Cloudburst:

Learn something new every day...

WISEWITCH:

I take an apple and a pomegranate. oh, this is all at the end of the ritual. I lift the apple, say "Behold the fruit of life" slice it through the equator "Which is death" look at the seeds, in their 5 pointed star pattern.

PeterJohn:

The pomegranate is symbol of "PLENTY"!

Miss Mary:

No- only if it's a lemon. The pomegranate is less acidic!

DeathDesire:

LOL

Sylverhare:

During my coven's Samhain rituals, during cakes and wine, those of us that have lost friends are encouraged to share a story that best exemplifies their feelings toward the dead one, both as remembrance and as a way of letting go, Ann

WISEWITCH:

Lift the pomegranate "Behold the fruit of death" STAB the pomegranate - it will bleed red really well! (be careful of your rugs) "Which is life!" Eat the seeds saying "Taste the fruit of rebirth" Sip the wine/ale/whatever saying "sip the cup of the wine of life".

WISEWITCH:

It works better for me than cakes and ale at this holy day.

Cloudburst:

WW, great ritual moment. hope everybody caught it with all that other stuff going on...

Miss Mary:

I have always felt that fruit was most appropriate on Samhain!

Autumn21:

that is similar to one i read involving Kore and Demeter

Annwyn:

deep red wine to signify blood

Mistletoe:

Lots of it around certainly!

Mistletoe:

fruit that is

WISEWITCH:

And I feel that pizza is appropriate at all holy days, but what do I know?

DeathDesire:

LOL

Autumn21:

pizza??

Cloudburst:

Hey, WW, pizza's red too!

aphreal:

LOL

PAniteowl:

Veggie pizza with autumn veggies

Autumn21:

true, true

DeathDesire:

hey you could have a sausage and pepperoni... pork products...

Miss Mary:

LOL Wise Witch!!! You're appetite is just up my alley!!! Maybe you should 'throw' your rituals, too!!!

Annwyn:

Just cuz Pizza tastes good... works for me

Spirit Bee:

Pomegranate Pizza?

WISEWITCH:

Autumn, I always have a full feast after a ritual. I don't find cakes and ale grounding enough, nor celebratory enough.

Autumn21:

come on, give me a break

Mistletoe:

I haven't had supper yet guys, please!

DeathDesire:

me neither, thinking of calling Dominos

Autumn21:

i haven't had dinner either, come to think of it

WISEWITCH:

Also at these rituals, we write messages to those who have died and burn them to send them to them.

WISEWITCH:

No, Mary, but then I don't have lots of robes.

DeathDesire:

yes

Cloudburst:

I wear black, Mary, but I think it's because my black robe is the warmest(G)

Laguz:

ohh that is a good idea WW

Spirit Bee:

we are off the subject, aren't we?

DeathDesire:

(----always wears black...

Cloudburst:

one time I borrowed (warm) red...

Autumn21:

i wear black because i love the color

Miss Mary:

I never wear robes, but I am a jewelry fiend (ask Elenya or rhiannon!) and have certain necklaces for certain rituals.

DeathDesire:

it is void of color

Autumn21:

plus i always wear black anyway

Laguz:

what is the subject?

Red Deer:

{--- SKYCLAD!!!

DeathDesire:

thanks wise.....now i'm hungry!

Mistletoe:

enough already, Samhain is the subject

Cloudburst:

spoken like a southerner(G)

WISEWITCH:

I have one cape, one scarf, and one 'over robe' that needs clothes under it. I wear ONE of the above at any given ritual, all if it's cold.

Miss Mary:

Have you ever divined with a pendulum on Samhain for communication with the otherworld friends?

WISEWITCH:

RD, I work OUTSIDE. I don't do skyclad often at Samhain - it's COLD)

Autumn21:

i never thought of it

WISEWITCH:

Ah, thanks, Mary, let's hit divination!

Xori:

Phew - slipped in

DeathDesire:

(G)

Xori:

WWW is really busy too

Red Deer:

WW, I go sky always for ritual... just have to find a good way to warm up afterwards! (g)

DeathDesire:

LOL

WISEWITCH:

I've only use pendulums to divine sex during pregnancies. My old HPSS used one well, though.

Hugmeister:

WISE WHEN YOU DO THE NOTES HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO AUTOWRITE ONE?

Wolf Running:

Yes, some had to wait in line.

WISEWITCH:

No, Huggy, I've not had luck with that myself.

WISEWITCH:

RD, if the crowd is this large for next week, we may need a member room with 35 openings...

Miss Mary:

I haven't tried divination during ritual, I wondered what the effectiveness may be on Samhain since the otherworld is so near...

Autumn21:

i have a pendulum, though i don't use it much

WISEWITCH:

It's the best time, Mary.

DeathDesire:

the veil is thin....

Spirit Bee:

good time for runes or medicine cards?

WISEWITCH:

i've done tarot cards, runes, oil on water, and tried crystal balls. I'd LOVE to learn tea leaf reading.

WISEWITCH:

yup, BEE.

Spirit Bee:

(wow quick answer!)

Hugmeister:

ANY REALLY BEE

Autumn21:

someone told me there are people who are trying to tear that veil wide open, has anyone else heard this, if so is it true

Miss Mary:

I own a crystal ball, but it has merely been decoration.

PAniteowl:

Crystal works best for me at this time ... usually I just use Tarot

WISEWITCH:

Now, you're not likely to learn an entire new form of divination between now and Samhain! So if you've already started with one, work on that between now and then to get it down better.

DeathDesire:

sounds very "clive barker" autumn...

Mistletoe:

Tearing the veil is probably not a good idea, even if it were possible, which I doubt.

Annwyn:

hazel nut on pendulum...

Wolf Running:

Also own crystal ball. Never had much luck. Some say you must hold it in your paws; some say never do. Opinions, anyone?

WISEWITCH:

while we use the symbol 'veil' it is not really something that can be 'torn'.

Xori:

careful of those crystal balls Miss Mary - don't put it on a wood table that will receive sunlight - I did - burnt little holes in the table

Autumn21:

i don't know it was just something i was told, supposedly it is true, but i don't know, that's why i am asking. this is my birthday too

WISEWITCH:

I like putting it on a black felt cloth. To work with it, tho, you have to follow some basic rules - no heavy eating before hand, etc.

Miss Mary:

My birthday is on Samhain. Somebody asked me once if that makes me more likely to contact the otherworld and I honestly don't know!

WISEWITCH:

Dunno, Mary, check with the Astrologers, they may know.

Xori:

I've never actually tried to contact the other world. Once in a while it just seems to find me though

DeathDesire:

(G)

WISEWITCH:

Now, Samhain trivia - some Trads celebrate this a multi-day festival, up to 9 days.

Autumn21:

i have heard and read that you can "scry" with a glass of water, i don't think this is possible, if it is how would one go about doing it

PeterJohn:

9 days?

WISEWITCH:

You'd put oil on the water, Autumn, and read the patterns.

Laguz:

could be fun... 9 whole days

Miss Mary:

That would make it end on my BROTHER'S B-day. A pagan family... James' is on Yule...

DeathDesire:

that's a lot of candy (VBG)

PeterJohn:

The Number of PERFECTION.

ZenMastr:

i'd be dead by then(EG)

DeathDesire:

cavity shock...

Laguz:

or at least think/wish you were, Zen (G)

WISEWITCH:

I've covered more than I prepared, folks. Let's take some more questions, and then I want some food myself!

Pixelite:

But, you'd die happy Zen (g)

Miss Mary:

How would they celebrate each of the nine days, Wise Witch?

melilot:

egads i've lost track of what's going on

Emmereaude:

me too.

Xori:

what are Trads? - traditionalists?

Red Deer:

This has been great, WW... Sorry I haven't been all here, but Warding is a JOB with this many... Can't wait to edit the logs

WISEWITCH:

I don't recall right now, Mary.

Autumn21:

oh, thanks WW

ZenMastr:

traditions, X

Freinsch:

Thanks WW.

melilot:

i'm soooooooooooooo confused

Mistletoe:

Is it over?

Miss Mary:

The thought of the energy needed for NINE rituals each day in a row--- I might NEED a lot of candy!!!

WISEWITCH:

About what, Meli?

PAniteowl:

Another favorite Celtic food is Colchran, but in the last 200 years , Potatoes have been added

DeathDesire:

LOL

PAniteowl:

Also Soda Bread is good with that dish

Laguz:

melilot, isn't that a nature state (CG)

WISEWITCH:

Not 9 rituals in a row, Mary. More like either 8 days of prep and then ritual, or 4 days before, then ritual, then 4 days of focus after.

Miss Mary:

On Samhain, isn't a traditional food Moon Cakes as well as Pomegranate, Pumpkin and Apple?

DeathDesire:

and pork

WISEWITCH:

Soda bread WITH DIVINATORY ITEMS IN IT! Ask Domi for recipe!

Annwyn:

and nuts...

milt31:

And don't forget corn

Red Deer:

How can there be 26 here... Samhain magick?

ZenMastr:

nuts are usually there too

Annwyn:

sorry I'm hung up on this nut thing and meats

PAniteowl:

Yes WW ... it's great!

WISEWITCH:

Moon cakes are always traditional.

ZenMastr:

now, now, Ann(EG)

RuByJooN:

There's only 25 in here Red Deer

Annwyn:

No it is cuz.. you only appear to be here Red

DeathDesire:

(G) zen

Mastir:

Moon cakes? like moon pies? yum!

DeathDesire:

little debbie here i come...

Freinsch:

I show 26 too

WISEWITCH:

Moon pies and Budweiser for REDNeck pagans........

DeathDesire:

LOL

Xori:

LOL

DeathDesire:

meli...

PAniteowl:

LOL

Greyfist:

LOL

melilot:

lol

Red Deer:

my display says 26!

Freinsch:

No.. Moon pies and PBR

Mastir:

Hey, some of you see a 26th member ghost?

PAniteowl:

me too RD

DeathDesire:

mine says 25...

melilot:

not moon pies & bud

PAniteowl:

Chat is here

melilot:

pork rinds & hard cider

Red Deer:

and I count 26!!!

RuByJooN:

So 'tis

DeathDesire:

LOL

Autumn21:

i lost count of how many here are in here

Red Deer:

'TIS A MIRACLE!!!

Red Deer:

NO, 'TIS MAGICK!!!

WISEWITCH:

FRONT

Annwyn:

Well which is it Red?

PAniteowl:

Goddess is here????

Red Deer:

aren't they the same?

melilot:

cause i'm so thin i don't count on that's how we get 26

Mastir:

Mine says 25 too, sometimes it happens that a person who leaves is left on the list and ignored by the computer until the people who see them leave and return. Then they will be gone.

Miss Mary:

Are there any 'kitchen witches' here? What would be a good ingredient for Moon Cakes other than nuts to signify the harvest?

Red Deer:

that runs the count up to INFINITY, PA

WISEWITCH:

Cloven Field - the coven I HPSSed. ADF - the denomination I'm now in.

DeathDesire:

sorta Mary...

Xori:

recipe for moon cakes anyone?

WISEWITCH:

I need to go. I've been ignoring some mail since 9:10

DeathDesire:

MP wise and thank you...

PAniteowl:

MP & BB Wise .. Thanks Miss Mary:

Blessed Be! Wise Witch and thank you for the teaching!

Hugmeister:

BB WISE

Wolf Running:

MP, WW. Thank you.

Pixelite:

Thanks for an enlightening class, WW

Red Deer:

Thank you a thousand times, WW for a GREAT class!